Streeter leaves practice early with foot ailment; Dye to get more playing time; plus more notes from Wednesday

CORAL GABLES -- The way receiver Tommy Streeter has shined lately you could definitely make an argument he's taken over the role as the go-to-guy in the Hurricanes offense.

Wednesday, before UM wrapped up its morning practice, Touchdown Tommy was in a position that would have made Canes fans queasy if they were around. The 6-5, 215-pound junior limped off Greentree Field without a shoe on his left foot and headed to the locker room. Before he went in for treatment, Streeter spent 15 minutes with his lower left leg submerged in an ice bath.

While it initially appeared to be an ankle injury, coach Al Golden said he was hopeful it was just a case of Streeter being stepped on.

"I don't think it's an ankle or a high ankle," Golden said. "I think he got stepped on, which generally is a cleat on the top of the foot. As long as there isn't anything too serious, which doesn't look like it was, I think he'll be alright."

Streeter had a career day against Virginia last Thursday, hauling in seven passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns. He earned ACC Receiver of the Week honors for his big game despite UM's 28-21 loss to the Cavaliers. The week before, Streeter also led UM in receiving against Georgia Tech.

> Golden said redshirt sophomore tight end Dyron Dye (6-5, 275) will see more playing time this week because he gives the team "a big, physical presence on the line of scrimmage."

"He's about 268 (pounds) right now. He's a big, strong kid. He has a big lower body. He is doing a good job. We need him to step up, especially in short yardage," Golden said.

The Hurricanes were let down by senior Chase Ford on a crucial 4th down-and-2 late in the game and deep in Virginia territory last Thursday. Ford missed his block and running back Mike James was hit in the backfield for a loss. Ford owned up to his mistake Wednesday.

"The play called for me to motion over and I came out too far," Ford said. "I tried to play the guessing game and I guessed wrong. He blitzed and I didn't pick him up in time. It was my fault."

Dye, an ESPN Top 150 recruit coming out of Sanford Seminole High, began his career at UM on defense -- playing end and then tackle. But three weeks before training camp ended, Dye said Golden asked him to move over to tight end to help provide depth. He was then suspended along with high school teammate Ray-Ray Armstrong for four games by the NCAA for accepting improper gifts from former booster Nevin Shapiro when they were being recruited. Golden said now that Dye has been back for four weeks, he's coming along and has earned some playing time.

"The thing about Dyron is he runs well for a big guy," Golden said. "I'm not going to tell you that he's finished as far as his hands; he's got a long way to go. But he runs really well, which is why we moved him there. He can get down the field. We're excited about him right there. He has a really good attitude."

UM's tight ends have combined for 16 catches and 155 yards this season.

> Don't look for redshirt junior Adewale Ojomo to move back to defensive end any time soon. Golden believes Ojomo (6-4, 270) is better suited for tackle.

"I think ultimately we put kids where they can have the most impact," Golden said. "I think we would all agree he's having more of an impact -- whether its pressuring the quarterback or getting sacks -- as a three technique than he did at end. It makes our team better. He's 270 pounds right now; a year in the off-season program he'll be 285, 288 and still give us that athletic three technique. I'm excited about him. He's had a great attitude."

> Right tackle Jonathan Feliciano remains in a walking boot but took it off for practice Wednesday in favor of an ankle splint. He was limited doing work today but Golden said he's "probable" for Saturday's game. He also explained why Feliciano, a redshirt freshman, has maintained his starting job.

"He's smart, on top of his game so he has a lot of money in the bank you know what I mean," Golden said. "He's got a lot of credibility with us because he was the same guy every day. So now that he has an injury we're trying to get him back, and hopefully we'll get him ready for the game."